Letters

High Tide
As a nearly lifelong subscriber to SPORTS ILLUSTRATED �and a lifelong Crimson Tide fan, I was disappointed that your COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW�(Aug. 15) included Chris Leak and the Florida Gators on the cover but rated Alabama as only the 41st-best team in the nation. Oh, how the Tide has turned.
Ronald E. Creque Jr., Shelbyville , Ky.

It is amazing how a college football team can grab the spotlight because of the success the school achieved decades earlier (The Tide Has Turned, Oct. 10). Granted, Alabama is off to a good start, but does defeating a ranked team ( Florida ) for the first time in years qualify the Tide for this kind of national exposure?
David Garner, Montgomery , Ala.

Just remember that there is one important thing Brodie Croyle has not done: beat Auburn.
Brian J. Stultz, New York City

Best-in-Show
I just tried for the fourth time to read Who's the Man? (Oct. 10), on the AL MVP race between David Ortiz and Alex Rodriguez . My gag reflex kicks in when various Yankees complain about the lack of publicity given their team and A-Rod . Let them try putting together one of the most surprising seasons in the modern baseball era and then--as the Chicago White Sox have done all season--watch most of the attention go to overpaid, underachieving teams in New York and Boston .
Christian Hildebrand, Wheaton, Ill.

Since baseball is business, there should be an award given to owners for getting the best return on an investment in a high-priced player. Call it the Best Value Player, or BVP. A-Rod made almost $26 million for the 2005 season, while Ortiz , with comparable offensive statistics, made only $5.25 million. If you can get the same production for one fifth the price, what businessman wouldn't rather have Big Papi?
Steve Shropshire, Greensboro , N.C.

Price Point
I respect beer men everywhere (SCORECARD, Oct. 10), but when I pay $6.25--or more--for a beer, it had better come with five other beers.
Sean Hickey, Phoenixville , Pa.

Just Saying No
Eddy Curry was correct not to let the Bulls have access to his genetic information (SCORECARD, Oct. 10). This data could prevent him from getting health insurance after his career is over, even if he never gets sick. Doctors have anticipated and--through the AMA--opposed this invasion of privacy. If Curry 's subsequent trade doesn't cause worry, think about the woman who is turned down for health insurance because a genetic test indicates she might be at risk for breast cancer.
Dr. Stephen L. Brotherton Fort Worth, Texas

Father and Son
Thank you for the story about Doug Flutie and his autistic son, Dougie (The Homecoming, Oct. 10). Karl Taro Greenfeld did a marvelous job of conveying the daily struggle--that must be coupled with eternal optimism--of being the parent or sibling of an autistic child.
Tom Garrett, Alexandria, Va.

Shame on Greenfeld for not knowing that people such as his brother, Noah, and Dougie Flutie lead full lives when they receive appropriate support. Greenfeld claims that "[people with autism] don't teach you anything." He should take the time to learn about and from his brother.
Kim Willard, Hereford , Md.

In broadcasting pro football on ABC and NBC for 38 years, I found Doug Flutie to be among the handful of players who, just by their presence, lifted their ball clubs. Your statement, however, that Flutie "represents the textbook quarterback ... except that he is a crucial three inches too short" is completely false. You see, Doug has always played three inches taller.
Charlie Jones , La Jolla , Calif.